Blue Barron

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Blue Barron led a big-band dance orchestra known for its signature sweet-sounding music, strictly devoid of jazz influences.

Fronting a band that played in the style of Guy Lombardo and Sammy Kaye, Barron once had a national audience for his nightly radio broadcasts. He popularized many songs, including the 1948 hit "Cruising Down the River."

Music colleagues said he was born Harry Freedlin in Cleveland and earned a degree from Ohio University, where he became interested in music management and played violin in a campus band.

He adopted the professional name Blue Barron and in 1934 founded the Blue Barron Orchestra, directed by Red Atkins.

When Atkins left, Barron began fronting the band. By 1937, Barron had signed an RCA Victor recording contract and had made numerous pressings for its Bluebird label.

His band's theme song was "Sometimes I'm Happy." He introduced selections with: "The music of yesterday and today the Blue Barron way."